Bunghole stopper



` July 27, 1943.

v. ALVEAR 2,325,356

BUNGHOLE STOPPER Filed April 25, 1940 I INVENTOR @am f/w .,VQ ATTORNEY.

Fig. 5 is a sectional View of a fragmentary portion of the stopper upon a greatly enlarged scale.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

In the accompanying drawing, a portion of a container, adjacent the bunghole, is shown at It. This container has an opening Jtherethrougl'i provided with a metallic bushing or liner I I of well known construction, having a bunghole opening I2 therethrough. The opening I2, is in actual practice, about three-quarters of an inch in diameter.

A stopper embodying the invention is adapted to be inserted in this opening I2 before the container has been filled with liquor, and to be re-,

moved therefrom after the liquor has been drawn from the container and it is necessary to thoroughly cleanse same before re-lling.

While the stopper is in place in the bunghole of a nlled container, the portion thereof exposed within the container is subjectedto the action of vapors, and splashing liquor Vduring transportation, and there is a constant tendency of the gas pressure within the container to force the stopper out of the bunghole. Y

Owing .tothese conditions, it is essential that the. stopper be rmly locked to the wall of the opening I2, so asfto prevent possible displacement thereof by gas pressure within the con- :2

tainer; that a portion of the stopper be rmly compressed and Jengaged with the wall of the opening to form aliquid and gas tight joint about the stopper, and that the'surface of the stopper exposedto the contents ofthe container :3.

be of a nature to resist deterioration as a result of exposure to gas,vvapors and liquids Within the container. Y Y

The stopper of thev invention, as shown in the accompanying drawing, lembodies therein a metal shell having a skirted portion I3 ofslightly smaller diameter than the opening l2. This shell has aniopen top and an opening I4 through the bottom VVthereof extending to'adjacent the skirt I3. outwardly projecting means consisting of a flared edge orflange- I5, having arawcr roughened edge which will readily bite into and interlock with tlnamaterialA of the bushing or liner II.

The skirt' I3 of theV shellhas a slight downward and inward taper, and'the flange I5 projects from the largest diameter of this `shell to anextent of only a few thousandths of an inch. The width of the flange is capable `of variation in accordancel with the thickness ofthesealing material of the envelope. In actual practice, the taper from topto bottom-V of the skirt ofthe shell is .about .004 of an inch.

VIn such stoppers as have been actuallyused,

the ange I5 extends beyond the outside diam- Y veter of the shell to an extent of approximately have been found to givehighly satisfactory,ref1

Adjacent the open top of the shell, isA L' suits and to meet the conditions of slight variation in the diameters of different bunghole openings I2.

The metal shell serves as a support for the envelope of packing material; to secure the stopper in its entirety against displacement after being forced into the bunghole opening, and as a means for inserting and removing a stopper from said opening.

The sealing envelope consists of a cupped member i@ of compressible fibrous material such as sheet paper, The side wall of this envelope closely embraces the skirt I3 of the metal shell and extends to a point spaced slightly below the outwardly ared or flanged portion I5 of this shell, thus providing space for the flow of the iibrous material as the stopper is being driven into the bungholer opening. The depth of the skirt i3, in actual practice, is about a quarter of an inch, while the height of the wall I'I of the cupped envelope is approximately three-sixteenths of an inch. v

To prevent deterioration of the sheet paper which forms the core ci the cupped envelope I6, either by absorption of liquid within the container, or by the action of vapors and gases thereon, I provide this envelope with an outer protective facing orlm I8 which is repellent to such substances. In actual practice, I have found that a thin coating of chlorinated rubber is highly satisfactory for this purpose, particularly as this material has no tendency to strip from the core as a result of the drag incidental -to driving the stopper within the bunghole opening. he outside taper of the cupped envelope alsois a factor in preventing disruption of the material therein.

The other faceA of the material of the cupped envelope is preferably provided with a lining I9 `of a metal foil such as aluminum, firmly bonded to this surface of the material of the envelope. This lining supplements the protective facing or film IS in preventing the escape of gas from the container in the event of minute voids in the core and in said protective facing. This lining i9 extends across and is exposed through the bottom opening I4 of the metal shell, and serves to protect the material. of the envelope from atmospheric and other'conditions to which this exposed surface is exposed.

When assembling a stopper, a heat fusible adhesive layer or stratum 2d, between the liner I9 and the skirt I3 of the metal shell, is employed. By bonding the side wall Il of the envelope to the outside of the skirt I3 of the metal shell,

Vmovement of the envelope in relation to the skirt is prevented, when applying the stopper to, or removingit from, the bunghole. This is desirable vas it prevents tearing of the material of the envelope at the juncture of the side wall and the bottom of the cupped envelope when applying the stopper to the container.

The non-absorbent facing IS prevents adherence of the material of the envelope to the inner Wall of the bushing or liner I i, and any moisture uponthis surface will tend to reduce the drag upon the envelope whenV applying the stopper to a container.

While the slight taper of the stopper below the ange YI5 and the slight rounding of the cupped y envelope-.at the juncture of the side Wall and the bottom thereof, will reduce the tearing strains upon the material of the envelope at this point,

this taper will also permit the stopper to adapt itself to differentA bunghole bushings in which no part of the Y, ffore not shown nor'describeclin detail.

assunse there. is a slight .Variance in. the diameters Lofv the openings therethrough forthestoppen Y Thin tinlplateisused foi'` frtlnth metl shell about? theiopeningf I""4 tllelftliiougliil The flange l-stiifens the shell'ad aeentthetopfthereor. Adjacentthe bottom of' the shell however,

' the tendency of the' Skill; tooollb's' Very In-Sh greater than about the A topof theshell. v

To 'stiften the skirtfabout the bottoi'n thereof, I have found ithighly-'desirable to Hnot onlyn pfo- Vld all rlwadlydi'eoted'ig abttheipelie ing I4, but to give thisal'lg: theflih-'f 'a bead 2|-, whichr so stiffens the bottom oftheshell V'as to not only preventany possible collapsiifigwofl the 'skirt I3,butto permit Vthei 'application'of the'de'- sired force adjacent the-bottom 'of the shell'when applying the stoppen-to VaVv bunghlei Without placing unduestresses upon-theibottom of the cupped envelope. Y f

n applying Stoppers embodying theninvention to, and removing them froinja container, special t'ools are required.V Such tools;y however, form present invention, vand arev there.-

In applying' a stopper to a containenrthe lower portion thereof is inserted inthe bunghole I2,

' the side wall of the cupped envelope V Iii having. a

close t with'thewall of'the'bunghole opening..

The stopper isudriveiiwithin. said opening by means of a harr'irner` or inallet and the special inserting tool above referred to whichis engaged with the beaded inwardly directedl bottom ila-'nge 2l and the outwardly'fiared top flange I5.

As the stopper isforced inwardly. the-material of the cupped envelope lis gradually compressed, the extent of compression beinggco'ntrolled by the diameter of the bung'hole opening I'Zand the outside taper of the stopper. 'Such diameters'rnay vary approximately` a thousandth'of inch,

-. pressure is only approximately butthe taper of `the Vstopperand the c'ompres'sibility of the material oftheenvelope -I 6 ensures a liquid and gas tight joint complet-ely about the stopper at some point@` The material of theenvelope is' subjected to a drag because of its frictional engagement with the wall of the openin'gIil,V andI 'have found it desirable to permitslight flow` of this material in order to overcome `any tendencyV ofthe drag totear the material and thus forml "channels through which Ygas Aor liquidfmight escape from the container. 'By 'spacingtheftop of the iside l wall slightly below the outwardly directed Hare k'or top flange I5, ample space is provided for the ow of the material of "the` envelope upwardly to an' extent to prevent its mutilation, While at the same time an eifective sealing jointsbetween theV stopper and the bushing or liner of th'ebun'gho'le is secured.

The cylindrical skirt 0i the sneu and theV reinforcing llanges atuthe top and'bottoni thereof prevent any such collapsing oftheehell as might interfere with the formation of aptight seal.

When a stopperis oneein place in the Ybunghole, it is merely necessary .to force 4the draw rod or tube throughthe. thin lmaterial of the cupped envelope exposed throughfthe bottomopen-ing I4 of the metal shellfand securely-it in place in the usual manner. VThis rod will readily rupture the material at tiiisp'oint, but will not disturb the seal betweenfthe sidewallofthe envelope-ande.

- liners I I' ing. l

Vthrough the Ybo`ttoifri`- thereof for the a draw'rodand -a cupped envelopeof compresthe 'wall 'of' the opening l2 of the bushing or liner! I'I`. A.

it desiredV to remove the stopper from the bus-hing or liner; anothertool is. passed through the open bottom of the slielliand engaged with the lower face of the envelope below the beaded flange 2I, and an upward pull applied to the stopper.' Y

In driving the stopper' Withinthe Opening I2, the outwardly flared-'top llange E5 will be forced frito engagement with the material'of the wall ofthe opening I2, and the .edgeof this flange will .take a nrin bite upon the material of the bushing. Hence, outward stresses from gas pressure within thecont'ainer uvii-illfrierely 'Servei to strengthen the locking' action betilenV this ilangeand said Wall. Resistance to suclifpr'essureby thellaiige serves to flatten itlsi-igntiy-and increases the locking action; I f Y' Y Y When inserting tlie stopper the opening I2, the outside diameter ofthe cylindrical portion of the envelope will be slightly greateradjaeent the flange I5 than the greatest diameter of this danse, but the diameterof the cylindrical portion adjaoeii't the bottoni of the stopper is slightly smaller 'tionef ath'ousandth of an inch, but has been found adequate to prevent the blowing out of the stopper by' gas'pressure withinthe container.

VWhile, iii packaging beer, this pressure is ordinarily approximately fty pounds to the square inch; the surfaoe'of the's'toppei' exposed to this one-half of Va square inch. e

Theouti facin'g-y I3- must be of` a material -vhicli will be acid and liquid resistantand which will inipar'ty no taintor characteristic flavor to the "contents of acontainer;` although thisY latter is of secondary importance'since aconsiderable bulk of beer-i"otherliquoris packaged in the containersand the area of the envelopeV exposed to sich contentsis small. if v I't is 'riotniyl intention to limit the invention gto the preciseA details of construction herein stated; The dimensions given may be varied, and this variance may be considerable with stoppei-s of greater diameters than that herein refered to', or which' are for use with bushings or dllf'lillg-'flom that'show'nfin the draw- While I havereferred tothe use of a heat fusible adhesive in securing the envelope to the skirt of 'the metal shell, this is a: manufacturing detail Farid; if desired, a fusibleadhesive which sets when cold, or an adhesivel which sets under heat and i pressure may be employed. Many such adhesives vare welliknown in the Ybottle closure industry.

V Hatingr described the vinvention, what I claim snew and'desireto liaveprotectedrby Letters Patentiis: u v e `1. A bungholelstopper embodying` therein a skirted metal shell havingan Vopen top, outwardly i projecting meansaboutsaid top adapted to bite into the Wall -offa' bunghole, and van opening passage of sbleinaterial 'inclosfi'ng thev skirt of said shell to a point slightly below the top thereof and extending across thefopen*bottomA thereof, the material of said envelope being of a thickness to extend beyond said outwardly projecting means at the top of said shell, and having an exterior protective coating resistant to the contents of a keg or barrel rwhereby a seal is vprovided between the skirt of said shell andthe wall of the bunghole.

2. A bunghole stopper embodying therein a skirted metal shell having an Vopen top, an outwardly and upwardly flaredV flange about said top adapted to bite into the wall of Ya bunghole, and an opening through the bottom thereof for thepassage of a draw rod, and a cupped envelope of compressible material inclosing the skirt of saidshell to a point slightly below the top thereof and extending across the openA bottom thereof, the material of said envelope being of a thickness to extend beyond said outwardly projecting flange at the top of said shell, and having an exterior protective coating resistant to the contents' of y a keg or barrel whereby a seal is provided between theskirt of said shell and the wall of the bunghole.

3. A bunghole stopper embodying therein a skirted metal shell having anopen top, an outwardly and upwardly flared ange about said top Lio vadapted to bite into the wall of a bunghole, an Y opening through the bottom thereof for the passage of a draw rod, and an inwardly directed reinforcing flange about said opening, and a cupped g envelope of compressible material inclosing the skirt of said shell to a lpoint slightly below the top thereof and extending across the open bottom thereof, thematerial of said envelope being of a thickness to extend beyond said outwardly pro- .f-

jecting liange at the top of said shell, and having an exterior protective coating resistant to the contents of a keg or barrel wherebya seal is provided between the skirtv of said shell and the wall of the bunghole. v

4. A bunghole stopper embodying therein a.

skirted metal shell having an'open top, an outwardly and upwardly flared flange about said top adapted to bite into the wall'of a bunghole, an

vopening through the bottom thereof for the past sage of a draw rod, and an inwardly directed reinforcing beaded flange about Asaid opening, and a cupped envelope of compressible material inclosing the skirt of said shell to a point slightly below the top thereof vand extending across the open bottom thereof, the' material of said envelope being of a thickness to extend beyond said outwardly projectingl flange at the top' of said shell, and having kan exterior protective coating resistant to the contents of a keg or barrel wherei by a seal is provided between the skirt of said shell and the wall of the bunghole.

5. A bunghole stopper embodying'therein a Vskirted metal shell having an open top, outwardly projecting means about said top adapted to bite into the ,wall of a bunghole, and an opening through the bottom thereof for the passage of a draw rod, the skirt of said shell being tapered from adjacent the top toward the bottom thereof, anda cupped envelope of compressible material inclosing the skirt of said shell to a point slightly below the top thereof vandextending acrossthe open bottom thereof, the material of said envelope being of a thickness to extend beyond said Youtwardly projecting flange at the top of said shell, and having an exterior protective coating resistant to the contents of a keg or barrel whereby a seal is provided between the skirt of sai shell and the wallof the bunghole. i

6. A bunghole stopper embodying therein a skirted metal shell having an open top, outwardly projecting means about said top adapted to bite into the wallof a bunghole, and an opening throughthe bottom thereof for the passage of a draw rod, and a cupped envelope of compressible fibrous material inclosing the skirt of said shell to a point slightly below the top thereof and extending across the open bottom thereof, the material of said envelope being of a thickness to extend beyond said outwardly projecting means at the top of saidshell, and having an exterior protective coating resistant to the contents of a keg or barrel whereby a seal is provided between the skirt of said shell and the wall ofthe bunghole.

'7. A bunghole stopper embodying therein a skirted metal shell having an open top, outwardly projecting means about said top adapted to bite into the wall of a bunghole, and an opening through the bottom thereof for the passage of a draw rod, and a cupped envelope of compressible fibrous material inclosing the skirt of said shell to a point slightly below the top thereof and extending across the open bottom thereof, the material of said envelope being of a thickness to ex- `tend'beyond. said outwardly projecting means at the top of said shell, and having an exterior protective coating of chlorinated rubber whereby` a seal isprovided between the skirt of said shell and the wall of the bunghole. Y

8. A bunghole stopper embodying therein a 4skirted rnetalshell having an open top, outwardly projecting means about said top adapted to jbite into the wall of a bunghole, and an opening rel whereby a seal is provided between the skirt ofsaid shell and the wall of the bunghole, and an interior lining'whereby the escape of gas through thematerial of said envelope is prevented.

9. A bunghole stopper embodying therein a skirted metal shell having an open top, outwardly projecting means about said top adapted to bite -into the wall of abunghole, and an opening -through the bottom thereof for the passage of a draw rod, and a cupped envelope of compressible material inclosing the skirt of said shell to a point slightly below the top thereof and extending across ,the open bottom -thereof, the material of said envelope being of a thickness to extend beyond said outwardly projecting means at the top Vof said shell, and-having an exterior protective coating resistant to the contents of a keg or barrel whereby a seal is provided'between the skirt of said shell and the wall of the bunghole, and an interior metal foil lining bonded thereto whereby the escape of. gas through the material of said envelope is` prevented.

y 10. A bunghole stopper embodying therein a skirted metal shell having an open top, outwardly projecting mean'svabout said top adapted to bite into the wall of a bunghole, and an opening through the bottom thereof for the passage of a draw rod, and a cupped envelope of compressible fibrous material inclosing the skirt of said shell to a point slightly below the top thereof and extending across the open bottom thereof, the material of saidA envelope being cfa thickness to extend beyond said outwardly projecting means at the top of said shell, and bottom thereof, the material of said envelope being of a thickness to extend beyond saidroutwardly projecting means at the top of said shell, and having an exterior protective coating of chlorinated rubber whereby a seal is provided between the skirt of said shell and the wall of the bunghole, and an interior metal foil lining bonded thereto whereby the es- Y cape of gas through the material of said envelope is prevented.

1l. A bunghole stopper embodying therein a skirted metal shell having an open top, outwardly projecting means aboutsaid top adapted to bite into the wall of a bunghole, and anv opening through the bottom thereof for the passage of a draw rod, a cupped envelope of compressible material inclosing the skirt ofvsaid shell to a point slightly below the top, thereof and extending` across the open bottom thereof, the material of said envelope being of a thickness to extend beyond said outwardly projecting means at the top of said shell, and having an exterior protective coating resistant to the contents of a keg or barrel whereby a seal is provided between the skirt of said shell and the wall of the bunghole, and an interior metal foil lining bonded thereto whereby the escape of gas through the material of said envelope is prevented, and means for bonding said envelope to the skirt of saidmetal shell.

Y 12. A bunghole stopper embodying therein a skirted metal shell having an open top, an outwardly and upwardly flared flange about said top adapted to bite into the wall of a bung'nole, and

an opening through the bottom thereof for the passage of a draw rod, the skirt of said Snell being tapered from adjacent the top toward the bottom thereof, a cupped envelope of compressi- Y ble brous material of a thickness to extend beyond the edge of said ange, and inclosing the said cupped envelope to the'skirt of said metal shell.

VICTOR ALVEAR. 

